Lee, Harper: 1926 - 2016

To Kill a Mockingbird, 1960 - Thematic Parallels: Racial Prejudice

Lee, Harper: To Kill a Mockingbird, 1960, ~300pp
The novel is very philosophical, examining how chance and randomness shape human existence, the illusion of free will, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world.
The following books are thematically simliar. Having read To Kill a Mockingbird, these texts lend themselves well to being read in groups, compared with one another, or used to teach a similar topic over an extended period with a class:
- Guterson, David: Snow Falling on Cedars, 1994, ~400pp
  The book addresses deep-seated racism and prejudice toward Japanese Americans, particularly in the context of a murder trial and the aftermath of WWII internment.
  Both novels use the courtroom as a stage to expose the moral failings and potentials of their communities, and both center on protagonists whose personal growth is tied to confronting prejudice and injustice. The child’s perspective in "To Kill a Mockingbird" emphasizes innocence and moral education, while "Snow Falling on Cedars" uses a reflective adult perspective to grapple with memory and redemption. These nuances make the novels complementary in their exploration of justice, prejudice, and the individual’s role within a flawed society.
- Hansberry, Lorraine: A Raisin in the Sun, 1959, ~150pp
  An important play highlighting the struggles of a Black family facing prejudice and housing discrimination.
  Both novels confront racism and the struggle for dignity, but from different vantage points: "A Raisin in the Sun" immerses readers in the daily reality of an African American family’s battles with systemic barriers, while "To Kill a Mockingbird" offers a white child’s perspective on racial prejudice and moral growth.
- Walker, Alice: The Color Purple, 1982, ~300pp
  The novel depicts the harsh realities of racism and racial discrimination, especially against Black women .
  Both novels address the complexities of race and injustice in the American South, but "The Color Purple" emphasizes the intersection of race and gender, focusing on the lived experiences and empowerment of Black women, while "To Kill a Mockingbird" explores racial injustice through the eyes of a white child, highlighting moral and social issues from an outsider’s perspective.
- Wright, Richard: Native Son, 1940, ~400pp
  A novel that details Wright’s own experiences growing up in the segregated American South and his confrontation with racism and poverty.
  Both novels are important works that explore the complexities of race and justice in America. "Native Son" is unflinching in its portrayal of the psychological and societal forces that shape a Black man’s life, while "To Kill a Mockingbird" offers a more optimistic, child’s-eye view of racial injustice and the potential for moral progress.
List of general discussion questions on racial prejudice (pdf)
List of essay prompts on racial prejudice (pdf)